October 2026 — Global Market Access Update
01 – Asia
China
Published on 7 January 2026
Effective from 1 January 2027
SAMR adjusts the CCC certification model for 16 products
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued a notice adjusting the certification model for 16 product categories in the CCC catalogue, moving them from the supplier’s self-declaration model to third-party certification and evaluation.
- Products involved: fuses, small-power motors, electric drills, electric grinders, electric hammers, DC arc welders, TIG arc welders, MIG/MAG arc welders, plasma arc cutting machines, automotive safety glass, automotive seat belts, exterior lighting and light-signalling devices for motor vehicles, indirect vision devices for motor vehicles, automotive seats and head restraints, driving recorders and vehicle body reflective markings.
- From 1 July 2026, designated certification bodies began accepting CCC certification applications;
- By 31 December 2026, companies holding valid self-declarations must complete certificate conversion;
- From 1 January 2027, the products concerned must hold a valid CCC certificate and bear the CCC mark before they can be manufactured, sold, imported or used in business activities.
Cambodia
22 September 2026
The Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) issued a notice prohibiting the import, supply and distribution of counterfeit and second-hand telecom equipment
TRC considers counterfeit and second-hand telecom equipment — including phones, tablets, walkie-talkies and routers — to pose significant risks to public safety, network integrity and national infrastructure, including radio interference, electrical safety hazards and excessive electromagnetic radiation.
- No entity may import or sell counterfeit or second-hand telecom hardware; only brand-new authorised products may be sold;
- All devices must hold a valid Type Approval (TA) certificate issued by TRC, and operators must hold Qualified Agent (QA) status or an Import Permit (IP);
- Stakeholders must complete compliance remediation within 60 days of the notice; violations may result in equipment confiscation, fines and closure of digital sales platforms.
Japan
September 2026
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) launched two public consultations on radio regulation
Draft amendment to the Radio Act Enforcement Regulations (800 MHz band broadband low-power radio system)
- Publication date: 12 September 2026
- Comment deadline: 16 October 2026
- Consultation link
Draft Frequency Reorganisation Action Plan (FY2026 edition)
- Publication date: 19 September 2026
- Comment deadline: 23 October 2026
- Consultation link
India
21 September 2026
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued notification S.O. 5190(E), bringing smartphone screen protectors under mandatory BIS registration
- The requirement takes effect on 1 April 2027.
- From that date, all smartphone glass screen protectors manufactured, imported, stored for sale, sold or distributed in India must complete mandatory BIS registration and comply with IS 19348:2025.
India
13 August 2026
India’s National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) issued a notice extending the security certification exemption for cloud-managed IP routers and Wi-Fi CPE
- The security testing exemption for cloud-managed IP routers and Wi-Fi CPE devices has been extended to 31 December 2026, easing testing pressure and supply-chain timelines for manufacturers.
Saudi Arabia
Published on 19 May 2026
Transition period until 31 October 2026
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) issued SASO 3114:2026 for ICT equipment certification
The new standard, Requirements for Specific Information and Communication Technology Equipment (SASO 3114:2026), formally replaces the previous technical regulation SASO CITC GEN-002.
- Covered products: mobile phones and tablets, mobile computers, routers and customer premises equipment (CPE), optical network terminals (ONT) and home access gateways (HAG), Wi-Fi distribution equipment and other cellular network equipment.
- From 1 November 2026, all newly issued Certificates of Conformity (CoC) must comply with SASO 3114:2026;
- Existing certificates issued under the old standard will become invalid no later than 31 March 2027.
Nepal
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) continues to strengthen telecom equipment network-access management
- NTA is advancing its Mobile Device Management System (MDMS), implementing type approval, IMEI registration and control of stolen or lost devices, and standardising compliance management for telecom equipment entering Nepal, covering mobile phones, data terminals and other cellular devices.
South Korea
Formally promulgated on 5 November 2025
Fully effective from 6 November 2026
Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) issued Notice No. 2025-56, mandating a unified USB Type-C interface standard
The requirement covers all wireless broadcasting and communication devices that charge by wire, or that support both wired charging and data transfer, including:
- Mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation devices, in-ear earphones and laptops.
- The requirement is integrated into the existing KC certification framework; manufacturers must satisfy the USBCR interface requirements as part of product certification.
Indonesia
21 July 2026
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (KOMDIGI) announced the results of the 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum selection
Following administrative review and an electronic auction, KOMDIGI confirmed the 2026 spectrum usage rights for cellular mobile services:
- 700 MHz band: XLSmart Telecom 30 MHz, Telkomsel 20 MHz, Indosat 20 MHz
- 2.6 GHz band: Telkomsel 80 MHz, Indosat 60 MHz, XLSmart Telecom 50 MHz
02 – Europe
European Union (ECC)
The European Electronic Communications Committee launched a public consultation on vehicle UWB spectrum
The ECC Spectrum Engineering Working Group (WG SE) opened a public consultation on the revision of ECC Report 351, studying spectrum sharing and compatibility for automotive ultra-wideband (UWB) radio determination applications in the 116–148.5 GHz band.
- Consultation deadline: 2 November 2026
03 – Americas
Brazil
September 2026
Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) issued Public Consultation No. 41 on the technical requirements for Wi-Fi 6E AFC
ANATEL sought comments on draft technical requirements and test procedures for automatic frequency coordination (AFC) in standard-power Wi-Fi devices operating in the 5925–6425 MHz band.
- Only the 5925–6425 MHz band is open for standard-power Wi-Fi;
- AFC systems must interface with ANATEL’s official technical and administrative database (BDTA);
- Technical requirements are defined for device geolocation, registration interaction, power control and secure transmission.
- Comment deadline: 3 December 2026
Brazil
Published on 2 April 2026
Mandatory from 6 October 2026
ANATEL issued Ato No. 4746, updating the compliance transition period for restricted radiation radio equipment
- Under Ato No. 14.158, radio systems using direct-sequence or other digital modulation techniques must have a bandwidth of at least 500 kHz.
- The requirement becomes mandatory on 6 October 2026; devices already assessed during the transition period may continue to rely on the old rules.
United States (FCC)
October 2026
The US Federal Communications Commission proposes to open unlicensed spectrum for direct-to-device (D2D) communications
The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to open unlicensed spectrum to support satellite direct-to-device communications and expand D2D use cases.
- Allow compliant Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and low-power IoT terminals to communicate bidirectionally with low-Earth-orbit satellites in a non-interfering manner;
- Clarify the compliance conditions for unlicensed radio equipment carried on spacecraft, permitting satellites to incorporate short-range wireless transceivers;
- Establish a flexible regulatory framework that protects existing operations while promoting innovation in integrated space-terrestrial networks.
Comment timeline:
- Initial comment deadline: 9 November 2026
- Reply comment deadline: 7 December 2026
04 – Africa
Nigeria
28 September 2026
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is strengthening compliance supervision of type approval for SIM-enabled devices
The NCC introduced a new technology-based regulatory framework, launching a Device Management System (DMS) to automate type-approval compliance checks for SIM-enabled communication devices, and establishing a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).
- All SIM-enabled communication devices must be registered before entering the Nigerian market and may only be sold after registration;
- Unregistered devices will be barred from connecting to Nigerian operators’ networks;
- Phase one focuses on registering existing devices, registering new devices and identifying illegally imported equipment, implemented jointly with customs, manufacturers, importers and industry associations.